Trucks; Bolivia; Aymara Peoples; Quechua peoples, Art; textiles
The Republic of Bolivia is located in the center of South America. Bolivia’s largest population is comprised of Amerindians, the indigenous peoples originally inhabiting the land before European explorers. The Quechua and Aymara peoples are two...
Yams; Masks; Papua New Guinea; Papua New Guinea - social lfie and customs; Abelam (peoples); Abelam (peoples) - social lfie and customs
Yams are an important food source for many indigenous tribes of Papua New Guinea. Men cultivate them and take great care and pride in creating the largest yams. The Abelam peoples hold elaborate yam harvest ceremonies and festivals, during which...
Mali; Dogon (African people); Dogon (African people) -- Social life and customs; Dogon (African people) -- Religion and mythology; Dogon (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies; Dance; Sculpture
Like many cultures, the cliff-dwelling Dogon peoples of rural Mali in West Africa have special beliefs and practices related to death. It is believed that after a person dies, even if his body is removed, his spirit remains in his home. The spirit...
Shoes, Boots; Footwear; Indigenous peoples -- Russia (Federation); Russia (Federation); Koryak; Koryak -- Social life and customs; Koryak -- Rites and ceremonies; Clothing and dress
The Koryak peoples have a long history as reindeer herders, hunters and fishermen in the northern portion of the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia. Since 1930, most Koryak have lived in the Koryak Autonomous Area in the northern portion of the...
Headgear; Lushai (Asian people); Lushai (Asian people)--Social life and customs; Beetles; India; Myanmar; Thailand
An important person, such as a chief or spiritual leader, of the Lushai peoples of Southeast Asia wore this headdress during special ceremonies. The shimmering green dangles are beetle wings. Other materials include parrot feathers, porcupine...
Tapirs; Costa Rica; Indians of Central America; Indians of Central America -- Antiquities; Whistles
What is a tapir you ask? It is a large pig-like, plant-eating mammal with a short, trunk-like snout that inhabits parts of Central and South America and Southeast Asia. Its closest relatives are horses and rhinoceroses. It is believed that tapirs...
Paleo-Indians; Paleo-Indians -- Implements; France; France -- History; Hominids; Homo erectus; Homo sapiens; Neanderthals; Europe -- History; Asia -- History; Africa -- History
The use of stone tools by prehistoric peoples developed slowly over millions of years. Archaeologists have defined different types of tools and attributed them to certain time periods and groups, called tool industries. These reproduction tools...
Indians of North America; Indians of North America -- Northwest Coast of North America; Indians of North America -- Rites and ceremonies; Indian dance -- North America; Indians of North America -- Folklore; Masks; Kwakiutl Indians; Kwakiutl art;...
This mask was created by contemporary Kwagiulth artist Buddy George. Called “Moon with Snakes” mask, it depicts a cosmological theme, as many Northwest Coast legends do. It embodies the moon, a celestial being that was, according to legend,...
Papua New Guinea; Sawos (Papua New Guinea people); Papua New Guinea -- Social life and customs; Implements, utensils, etc.; Bandicoots
The Sawos peoples from the Middle Sepik River Region of Papua New Guinea make these beautiful bowls to serve sago, a starch made from the pulp of native palm trees. The bowls are often decorated with abstract representations of Sawos beliefs and...
Sierra Leone; Nineteen seventies; Musical instruments; Drums; Temne (African people); Temne (African people) - social life and customs; Mende (African people); Mende (African people) - social life and customs; Percussion instruments
The Republic of Sierra Leone is a country in West Africa. There are 18 ethnic groups living in Sierra Leone, with the Temne and Mende peoples making up the largest of the groups. Drums are important instruments in Africa, used both as a musical...
Papua New Guinea; New Guinea -- Social life and customs; Sago palms; Implements, utensils, etc.
Sago is the pulp found in various palm tree species. Papua New Guinea peoples gather the sago from these trees, and then pound the fiber to extract the starch. The starch is used in various dishes. On this particular pounder, the handle resembles a...
Masai (African people); Masai (African people) -- Social life and customs; Masai (African people) -- Rites and ceremonies; Kenya; Cows; Milk; Containers; Gourds
The Maasai peoples live mostly in southwestern Kenya. Cattle are very important to the Maasai and considered sacred. Many ceremonies involve the ritual slaughter of cattle, with meat being distributed among the community according to social rank....
Indians of South America; Indians of South America -- Social life and customs; Caraja Indians; Initiation rites; Brazil; Headgear; Indians of South America -- Clothing; Clothing and dress
The Karaja Peoples reside in the lowlands of the Matto Grosso of Brazil. They are well known for their ceramic dolls, baskets, and feathered objects. This particular headdress is called a lori-lori and consists of rosettes of feathers attached to a...
Indians of north America; Zuni Indians; Zuni Indians -- Social life and customs; Zuni pottery; Containers; Storage jars; New Mexico; Zuni pottery
Zuni peoples recognized the importance of water in their daily lives. Water and items associated with water became part of their belief system. During the 1800s water jars or containers featured abstract designs of rain, vegetation and animals...
Eskimos; Inuit; Eskimos -- Alaska; Indians of North America; Snowblindness -- Prevention; Eyes -- Protection; Blindness
Inuit peoples used snow goggles to eliminate harmful ultraviolet sunlight reflecting on the snow, as well as increase visibility. Without these goggles, high altitudes and the reflective sunlight would cause snow blindness, a painful state...
Indians of North America -- Dwellings; Woodland Indians
Long ago, before trade brought different goods and lifeways to this region, Native Peoples of the Woodland area made their homes, wiikiaami, from strong wood frames with natural coverings. This contemporary model was made from the traditional...
Indians of North America; Zuni Indians; Zuni Indians -- Social life and customs; Zuni pottery; Containers; Storage jars; Zuni pottery
Zuni peoples recognized the importance of water in their daily lives. Water and items associated with water became part of their belief system. During the 1800s water jars or containers featured abstract designs of rain, vegetation and animals...
Inukshuks -- Canada; Indians of North America; Inuit; Cairns
Figures like this one, but much larger, can be seen in remote areas of Canada. There, the landscape is barren, without many landmarks to help people find their way. Years ago, people built their own landmarks out of stones, carefully chosen and...
Papua New Guinea; Papua New Guinea - social life and customs; Marriage customs and rights; Shells; Dowry; Brides
Among many of the indigenous peoples of Papua New Guinea, items from their environment, like shells and ivory from boar's tusks, were valuable. Traded from group to group, resources from the coasts could be obtained by people living further inland....
Akha (Asian people); Thailand; Women, Akha -- Social life and customs; Headgear; Hats; Women's hats
Hats of this style are worn by married women of the U Lo Akha peoples in Thailand. Originally from Tibet, the Akha now live in the mountains of China, Laos Myanmar (Burma) and northern Thailand. Like much of Akha attire, it is highly embellished...
